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Objective of the project

The genetic impoverishment of modern apple cultivars has led to an increase in the susceptibility to pests and diseases. This, in turn, has resulted in the need to apply numerous, resource inefficient plant protection treatments. The introduction of “black spot resistant” cultivars with a single gene-disease resistance caused the breakdown of disease resistance. The main goal of the operational group, consisting of two research institutes and five practitioners, is thus to breed new cultivars with broader genetic resistance to extend and further develop both organic and tratitional extensive meadow orcharding in the cultivation practice. This will contribute to sustainable, environmentally friendly, organic orcharding. Through fungus resistent, robust new apple species, less pesticides are applied, and hence resources saved. The soil is less polluted as the application of copper preparations can be abandoned as far as possible.

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Main outcomes and recommendations of the project

The project comprises the following activities:

Selection of recently bred new cultivars with resistance/ tolerance characteristics to be conducted under “worst case” conditions at experimental test facilities and during practical field trialing;

Establishment of new culitvars in commercial orchards, and their introduction to the market;

Investivation of the suitablility of traditional cultivars at the Baden-Württemberg Cultivar Conservation Centre for breeding purposes to broaden the genetic basis; and

Breeding of new cultivars based on the gene pool of traditional cultivars and the already existing breeding act.

Innovation scale and stage

New apple species will be breeded, taking into account the genetic basis of old and well-established varieties found in meadow orchards. Through reinforced selection of new apple breeds, the innovation “new robust species” can quickly be implemented.

In addition to a participative breeding approach, the practice locations enable early clone and species tests under organic as well as “worst case” conditions.

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